ICBC extended its thanks to almost 160 local Community Police Office volunteers for their road safety and anti-auto crime efforts.

This week (April 10 to 16) is National Volunteer Week, and the car insurance agency is using it to thank those who staff Speed Watch, Lock Out Auto Crime, and the Stolen Auto Recovery program.

“The extraordinary dedication to road safety shown by these volunteers and community policing offices is remarkable and truly appreciated,” said Jon Schubert, ICBC’s president and CEO. “On behalf of all our customers and ICBC employees, thank you!”

In 2010, Speed Watch volunteers in Langley contributed approximately 410 hours to help reduce speed-related crashes in their community. With the support of volunteers, speed-related crashes have steadily decreased in B.C. over the last five years. Volunteers use radar and speed-reader boards supplied by ICBC to show drivers how fast they’re actually traveling. Research shows that it works – over 70 per cent of drivers traveling 10km/h over the speed limit slow down when they see a speed-reader board.

In 2010, Lock Out Auto Crime volunteers in Langley handed out approximately 40,400 notices to drivers to draw attention to the risk of auto theft. Volunteers place notices resembling parking tickets on the windshields of vehicles, many with garage door openers or valuables in sight, offering the owners common sense tips for preventing auto theft.

These volunteers also operate the Stolen Auto Recovery program in Langley, and in 2010, they scanned more than 100,000 licence plates to help identify stolen vehicles. Each year, volunteers help to recover hundreds of stolen vehicles in B.C.

“These volunteers work tirelessly,” said Leanne Cassap, local ICBC road safety coordinator. “Many give up their Friday evenings to go out on a cold, rainy night to try to locate stolen vehicles or spend their afternoon scanning busy parking lots for unsecured vehicles to help protect owners from becoming a victim of auto crime. With their support, we’ve seen an astounding 65 per cent decrease in auto crime in B.C. since 2003.”

“It is important to acknowledge the people who work hard to make our community a better place, and do it without expecting anything in return,” said Rich Coleman, Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA. “I’m happy to see our volunteers are getting the recognition they deserve.”

“We have seen a dramatic reduction in auto crime in B.C., and volunteers have helped make that possible,” said Mary Polak, Langley MLA. “It’s just one more example of how volunteers make our communities better.”

Drop by your neighbourhood community policing office to see how you can get involved and help keep your community safe.